Monthly Archives: August 2013

August 31, 2013

You must be responsible for your own performance to be successful.

You must feel a responsibility to work hard to contribute your best. Seems like today that no one wants to take responsibility for their actions. However, if you want to make a difference, you want to be successful then you must take full responsibility for your performance. You can’t look to someone else to be responsible for your life. You must be the one! Take on the job of being responsible for you. Answer for what you do and don’t do. Be willing to accept the blame when needed. At the same time, when you take the blame and give the credit you will see a marked improvement in your performance. You are here to be a difference maker. You have the gift/talent to be someone special. There is greatness inside of you. Today is the day to take responsibility and be that person. Be that person that stands for what is right and defends those that are defenseless. Be the person that does what is right no matter. You have what it takes. You can be who were created to be. Are you taking responsibility today for your performance?

Some people have incredible skills, but in the end, the person who has the talent but not the work ethic will lose out.

In my work as a Performance and Mental Conditioning Coach I work with some people that have high level skills. However, in many cases their strongest assets are also their biggest weaknesses. For some reason, those that have the greatest skills often have the worse work ethic. No one can make it on talent alone in the long run. We see people all the time that have mad skills but because they don’t do the mental work or practice their skill; they fall by the wayside. Don’t let this be you. Develop a work ethic that is like none other. You may lose from time to time, but never let it be because your opponent out worked you. Focus on what you are to do and let no or anybody distract you from your work. Work hard and most importantly work smart. I stress the working smart over working long hours but not getting anything done. Working hard is important, but be sure you are working smart. Practice your skill, your talent until it is automatic. Is your work ethic what it needs to be today?

It’s more valuable than money. You can make more money, but you can’t make more time. When you woke up this morning, God gave you a present called “today.” And with that gift comes a responsibility. The Bible tells us to redeem the time, to make the most of every opportunity. That simply means don’t let it go to waste. Don’t live this day unfocused, unhappy, negative or defeated. Make the most of every day. God has put gifts and talents on the inside of you. You have seeds of greatness deposited in you. You’re a person of destiny, and you have an assignment and a purpose to fulfill! I encourage you today to evaluate how you are spending your time. Refocus your life. Let go of any distractions. Shake off any self-pity, any discouragement, any disappointments of the past and run your race with purpose. Be careful how you live and redeem the time so that you can fulfill the destiny He has prepared for you. Are you making the most of every day?

Most changes offer a tremendous opportunity to gain knowledge and experience.

When you go through the process of change in your life there is a learning curve. Something new has been introduced into your life. Rather than fighting change and the effects of it, learn to grow from it. This time of change gives you the unique opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and experience. There are some things that you will only learn by going through a season of change. Change may be uncomfortable at first, but when you realize the good that is coming from it, it is less uncomfortable. It’s time to be comfortable being uncomfortable. Change can be your friend if you will embrace it for what it is. Get a new outlook, a new and better perspective of what change is all about. Get the knowledge and experience that can only be gotten from change. Everything you go through can have some positive results. Are you gaining knowledge and experience from change today?

Are you facing a difficulty or a situation that seems like it’s been lasting a long time? Compared with eternity, our troubles don’t last long at all! As you stand strong during times of adversity, you are building faith and a strong mind. If you are in the middle of tough times today, look to God. The Bible says that He is the Author and Finisher of your faith. He is the One who writes faith on your heart and then develops it to completion on the inside of you. He is building strength in you, He is depositing joy in you, and He is empowering you to make it through. Today, be encouraged because what you are facing is only temporary. Victory is on the way, and it’s closer than you think! Keep standing, keep believing, keep hoping, and keep confessing His Word because He is faithful, and He will complete what He’s started in you. Are you growing up during adversity today?

For some change comes easy, and they are ready to go beyond their comfort zone.

When the people of Israel were in slavery to Pharaoh, God sent different plagues to try to convince him to let them go. One of the plagues was a plague of frogs! The people were so miserable that Pharaoh finally said, “Moses, we’ve learned our lesson. The Israelites may go. Please ask your God to take away these frogs.” Moses said, “I’ll do it, Pharaoh. When do you want it to happen?” You would think Pharaoh would say, “Right now!” But no, Pharaoh said, “Take them away tomorrow.” He was saying, “We can put up with these frogs just one more night.” How many times do we do the same thing? “Scott, I’m going to forgive, but I’m going to do it tomorrow. I’m going to have a better attitude. I’m going to quit worrying…tomorrow.” We’re saying like Pharaoh, “I can put up with this addiction, this mediocrity one more day.” No, our attitude should be, “I’m not going to spend one more night with the frogs, putting up with things that are not God’s best.” Why don’t you start today? Today, make the change. Today, choose to forgive. Today, stop worrying. Today, get in shape. Today, take a step of faith. Shake off passivity and procrastination and get rid of anything that would hold you back. You ready to get rid of the frogs today?

No matter what your business or position is, you must be prepared for adverse situations.

God has a plan to take every adversity and every hardship you go through and use it. He’s not going to beat you down and make your life miserable. No, God’s dream is to take that difficulty and supernaturally turn it around and use it to bring you good. He will use those tough times to bring you out stronger, more mature and prepared for promotion. Goodness, mercy and unfailing love are God’s plan for you! You may not understand everything that’s going on in your life right now, but I encourage you to keep your head held high. Know that God is working in your life. Keep being faithful. Keep doing the right thing, knowing that in the end God is going to turn things around in your favor. If God is for you, who can be against you? No one. Greater is the One who is in you than anyone who can be against you. No matter what’s going on around you today, you can put your shoulders back and put a smile on your face because God is working things together for your good because He loves you. Are you prepared for the adverse situations today?

People are conditioned to think, “What’s in it for me?” But the most rewarding way to live is not with the attitude, “How can I get what I want today?” No, if we are always self-focused wondering how we can benefit, that’s living with a shallow, temporary mentality. Instead of looking out only for your good, turn it around and say, “How can I be a blessing to others? Who can I inspire to be their best? What can I do to make a difference in someone’s life today?” Friend, that’s living at a higher level. I encourage you to be on the lookout for ways to be a blessing to other people. It’s amazing how one word of encouragement can change the direction of a person’s life forever. When you reach out and speak the truth over others, when you speak vision and cause others to change, something supernatural happens to your own life. It won’t be long before you see yourself excelling and rising up higher when you live with an eternal perspective. Are you being a blessing to others today?

That’s why it’s so important to be connected to the right people. We have to understand that God has already arranged for certain people to speak into your life. He has already placed people in your path that will inspire you, challenge you, and help you accomplish your dreams. The reason some people never reach their highest potential is because they never get away from the wrong people. Recognize today that not everyone can go where God is taking you. You’ve got to connect with people who understand your destiny and can inspire, encourage, and push you up. You don’t have time to spend on people who are always pushing you down, telling you what you can’t do, or never giving you their approval no matter how hard you try. Life is too short and too long to drag people along. If you will get the wrong people out of your life, then God will bring in the right people so you can fulfill the destiny He has in store for you. Are you connected to the right people today?

Everyone goes through seasons of waiting. A lot of times, people just sit back and wait for God to do everything. But, you have to remember to do your part and make preparations. You have to talk like it’s going to happen and act like it’s going to happen. Some people might say, “Well, Scott, what if I do this and it doesn’t happen?” But I say what if you do and it does happen? And even if things don’t turn out the way you had hoped, you’d still be better off living your life positive and hopeful than you would to go around down and discouraged. I love what David said in the Bible, “God, my times are in Your hands.” He was saying, “God, I don’t know when it’s going to happen, but I know You know what’s best for me.” I’m going to go out today expecting good things. And even if it doesn’t happen, I’m not going to go to bed all disappointed. I’m going to go to bed knowing that I’m one day closer to seeing my dreams and desires happen. Are you preparing today?